Reply #42: Not knowing how the unions work over there... [View All]

[Javaman]

but here with SAG, there is a union minimum that is always agreed upon then negotiated, usually, from there up.

I am, needless to say, behind the union. The minimum here means: that the wage will cover all of the actors benefits, plus minimum wage for part or hours worked.

So while mr. jackson refuses to pay the union minimum, the actors have every right to be pissed.

Believe me when I say that SAG minimum for a non-speaking roll isn't all that great, but it does cover benefits.

And since these are "extras" and union rolls, trying to pay these actors lower than minimum is, frankly, insulting.

Incidentally, extra pay can be anything from free to anything the production wants to pay them. It's only when they have a line, a close up or a part that becomes intrinsic to the story that their status changes.